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A child life specialist can help your child cope with getting a feeding tube before and after the tube is put in. St. Jude child life specialists can also help siblings understand why the patient is getting a feeding tube and how they can help their brother or sister.

A nasogastric tube can be used to feed your child when he is unable to eat or drink by mouth. It is called a nasogastric tube because it passes through your child's nose, down his throat and into the stomach.

A gastrostomy is surgery that makes a small opening through the skin into the stomach or intestine. The opening is called a stoma. Your child might need a gastrostomy if he has trouble eating or drinking by mouth.